Independence

We are working on some net independent skills with Matthew around here for the summer!

I just saw my cousin, Millie, graduate from high school yesterday, and I feel like she really should still be just Matthew's age. It all did go by so quickly.

I know people say not to rush them and I'll be sorry when they don't need me as much anymore. But with working from home and two kids home a good bit this summer -- especially Matthew -- I need him to be just a bit more independent sorta quickly.

We potty-trained Matthew earlier this spring, and it really has gone well. But we still have to help him a good bit in the bathroom. I cannot spend the whole summer rushing to the potty every time he has an urgent need in that area. The timing seems always just a bit "off" for Mama's work requirements. The skills to pull down your own pants and get up on the potty are truly important and need to be mastered as quickly as possible.

So far, we're doing well and Matthew's starting to be able to do it on his own and make a habit of it. (Yay!)

We are also preparing for Sarah's new arrival, and plan on sharing a lot of our baby gear with her and Juan.

So Matthew may also move into his "big boy bed" a bit sooner than three years-old, so that we can give them the crib. Yesterday, when he was sure to go to sleep right away at bedtime, I swapped out the baby crib rail with the toddler rail!

Matthew was super-excited when he saw it, and Libby was, too!



I told him that I'd put the baby rail back on if he got up and played around, or didn't wait for us to come and get him in the morning. On Day One, we have had no trouble on either front.

Oh, I haven't mentioned that he got his first "shiner" last weekend. He and Libby were chasing and his eye made direct contact with the corner of our kitchen table while I was out. Fortunately, Michael texted to warn me so I wouldn't be surprised. But here nearly a week later, it's *almost* better.

But he also has two skinned knees - one from last week, and new spots on both from tripping twice at the pool today! Oh buddy. Methinks this shorts season is going to be a long one.

He IS growing up! Too fast!

Oh, and Libby is big into "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" that we showed her for movie night last week. It has been kind of a fun one to relive.